Check out tips for summer travel

POSTCARDS FROM FLORIDA

Heading to the airport for holiday travel? Arrive early to avoid… (JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINEL )

May 30, 2010|By Jim Abbott on Florida Travel, Postcards from Florida

With Memorial Day behind us, we're now officially into the summer travel season.

To make the getting there at least part of the fun (half of the fun sounds just unreasonable), the kind folks at the American Society of Travel Agents have compiled a list of tips for travel by land and air:

By car

Plan itineraries and arrange accommodations well in advance. Reservations for hotels, restaurants and rental cars book quickly during peak travel times. Your travel agent can help you get the lowest rate and make sure your rental car has room for your family, luggage and whatever souvenirs you bring home.

Get a tune up. Before any long-distance drive, make sure to have your oil changed and your brakes, fluids and tire pressure checked.

Get an early start to avoid holiday gridlock. The worst times to travel are after meals because most travelers postpone leaving until they've eaten with their families.

Don't forget Fido. Pet owners also should be reminded never to leave pets waiting in parked cars — temperatures can soar quickly during the sizzling summer months.

By air

Book your ticket ASAP. If you must book last minute, remember the key to the best deal is flexibility in travel dates.

Arrive early. Difficult airport parking, long lines at security checkpoints and the possibility of the airline overselling the flight and bumping passengers should all be considered when deciding what time to arrive at the airport. Give yourself plenty of extra time.

Remember 3-1-1. Regulations limit the amount of liquids passengers can take through security in their carry-on luggage to travel-size toiletries of three ounces or less that fit in one quart-size, clear plastic bag.